Protective covers for baby carrier rings

ABSTRACT

A washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring includes a fabric pocket with an internal fastener and an external fastener. The internal fastener attaches the cover to the ring. The external fastener fastens to an external fastener of an adjacent cover. Another cover has a resilient coil in a fabric sheath with fasteners at each end. The coil and sheath wind around the baby carrier ring. Another cover includes an elongated fabric strip with first and second longitudinal edges and first and second ends. A zipper attached to the first and second edges has a zipper head with a zipper pull. Fasteners are attached to each end. The strip accommodates the baby carrier ring when zipped and fastened. The washable cover protects the ring from damage while, for example, washing, drying, storing, and shipping the baby carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/948,437, filed Sep. 18, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/973,122, filed Sep. 18, 2019. The contents of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/948,437 and 62/973,122 are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective articles for baby carrier rings and, more particularly, to fabric pockets for protection of baby carrier rings.

Many baby carrier manufacturers recommend putting a sock over the baby carrier rings to protect them from damage. Socks do not reliably stay in place, are cumbersome, and cover too much fabric/material on the carrier. Therefore, they do not adequately protect the baby carrier rings. Using socks to protect rings also inhibits the carrier fabric from being thoroughly cleaned when washing.

As can be seen, there is a need for a protective article for baby carrier rings that does not fall off and does not interfere with cleaning the baby carrier fabric.

The present invention provides ring wraps or pockets that attach to the rings of a baby carrier to protect the baby carrier rings from damage. The ring wraps have a fastener to keep them in place on the rings so that ring wraps do not slide off. The ring wraps do not envelope a large amount of material and do not interfere with washing a baby carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring is provided, comprising a fabric pocket having an internal fastener and an external fastener. The internal fastener is configured to removably attach the washable protective cover to the baby carrier ring, and the external fastener is operative to fasten to an adjacent external fastener of an adjacent protective cover.

In another aspect of the present invention, a washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring is provided, comprising: a resilient coil in a fabric sheath having a first fastener at a first end and a second fastener at a second end; wherein the resilient coil and fabric sheath are configured to wind around a circumference of the baby carrier ring and the fabric sheath is configured to accommodate the baby carrier ring with the first fastener fastened to the second fastener.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring is provided, comprising: an elongated fabric strip having a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first end, and a second end; a first zipper portion attached to the first longitudinal edge, a mating second zipper portion attached to the second longitudinal edge; a zipper head attached to the first zipper portion and the mating second zipper portion; a zipper pull extending from the zipper head; a first fastener attached to the first end; and a second fastener attached to the second end operative to couple with the first fastener; wherein the elongated fabric strip is configured to accommodate the baby carrier ring in a zipped and fastened position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of two protective ring covers according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the inside thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof, shown in use with baby carrier rings secured within;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protective ring cover according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view thereof, shown in use;

FIG. 12 is perspective view of a protective ring cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 13 is a slightly exploded perspective view thereof, shown in an unsnapped mode; and

FIG. 14 is another perspective view thereof, shown in a snapped mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the term “shield” refers to a device or part that serves as a protective cover or barrier.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a ring cover, comprising a washable material and a fastener, for protecting the rings on baby carriers from damage. The washable material of the cover generally protects the rings from damage while, for example, washing, drying, storing, and shipping, the baby carrier.

In some embodiments, the ring cover may be configured as a protective pocket having at least one fastener. The protective pocket may be installed by sliding it onto a baby carrier ring. In other embodiments, the ring cover may be a ring wrap configured as a toroidal sheath having at least one fastener. The ring wrap may be installed by wrapping it around the ring, leaving the area in the center of the ring open.

The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The washable material may be selected from a variety of textiles, including but not limited to the group consisting of fleece, fleece adhered to another fabric, other protective materials, and a combination thereof. The fastener may be, for example, selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, zippers, and hook-and-loop closures.

In an embodiment, the inventive pocket may be manufactured as follows. Fabric may be adhered to fleece with an iron-on adhesive activated by heat from an iron. The fleece and fabric may be cut into shields generally having the shape of a major segment of a circle and hemmed. Snaps or other fasteners may be installed near the center of each component in a manner known to a person skilled in the sewing art. The hemmed components may then be sewn or stitched together around the circumference of the circular portion to form pockets, preferably with the fleece portion on the interior of the pockets.

To use the inventive articles, one cover may be fastened in place over each ring on the baby carrier, holding the cover in place. In some embodiments, adjacent pockets may be snapped to one another to protect a plurality of rings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a pair of protective ring covers 10 according to an embodiment of the invention are shown. Each cover 10 comprises a fabric 20 pocket 60. Iron-on fleece 30 may be fused to the interior surface of the fabric 20 and the fabric 20 may be hemmed with thread 40. Snaps 50 may be installed near the center of each protective ring cover 10. FIG. 6 illustrates use of the inventive covers 10, such that a cover 10 surrounds each baby carrier ring 80 of a baby carrier 70.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 11, FIG. 7 shows a protective ring cover 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention in use position around a baby carrier ring 80. The cover 110 comprises a fabric sleeve 114, gathered into regions 114A, with end tabs 116 at opposing ends coupled together with a male snap 116A and a female snap 1168 adjacent stitching 120 (see FIG. 10). As FIGS. 8 and 9 show, the sleeve 114 surrounds a resilient coil 118. The protective ring cover 110 coils around the respective baby carrier ring 80 on a baby carrier 70, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

A protective ring cover 210 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 14. With a zipper 238 in an unzipped position, the protective ring cover 210 may be placed around a baby carrier ring 80 of a baby carrier 70 and zipped by pulling a zipper pull 240 to form a sleeve 234. Snaps at each end of the sleeve 234 couple the ends together as shown in FIG. 14, with a first end having male snaps 236A and a second end having female snaps 236B.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring, comprising: a fabric pocket having an internal fastener and an external fastener, said internal fastener configured to removably attach the washable protective cover to the baby carrier ring, wherein the external fastener is operative to fasten to an adjacent external fastener of an adjacent protective cover.
 2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the fabric pocket comprises fleece adhered to another fabric.
 3. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the fabric pocket is formed from a pair of shields stitched together around a majority of the edges thereof, with an opening configured to accommodate the baby carrier ring and a portion of attached baby carrier fabric.
 4. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the internal fastener is selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop closures.
 5. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the external fastener is selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, zippers, and hook-and-loop closures.
 6. A washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring, comprising: a resilient coil in a fabric sheath having a first fastener at a first end and a second fastener at a second end; wherein the resilient coil and fabric sheath are configured to wind around a circumference of the baby carrier ring and the fabric sheath is configured to accommodate the baby carrier ring with the first fastener fastened to the second fastener.
 7. The washable protective cover of claim 6, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop closures.
 8. A washable protective cover for a baby carrier ring, comprising: an elongated fabric strip having a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first end, and a second end; a first zipper portion attached to the first longitudinal edge, a mating second zipper portion attached to the second longitudinal edge; a zipper head attached to the first zipper portion and the mating second zipper portion; a zipper pull extending from the zipper head; a first fastener attached to the first end; and a second fastener attached to the second end operative to couple with the first fastener; wherein the elongated fabric strip is configured to accommodate the baby carrier ring in a zipped and fastened position.
 9. The washable protective cover of claim 8, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop closures. 